1625: londonhostage situationHe that hath wife and children hath given hos­tages to fortune, for they are impediments togreat enterprises, either of virtue or mischief.Certainly the best works—and of greatestmerit for the public—have proceeded from theunmarried or childless men, which both in af­fection and means have married and endowedthe public. Yet it were great reason that thosethat have children should have greatest care offuture times, unto which they know they musttransmit their dearest pledges. some there are,who though they lead a single life, yet theirthoughts do end with themselves and accountfuture times impertinences. nay, there are someother that account wife and children but as billsof charges. nay more, there are some foolish,rich, covetous men that take a pride in havingno children, because they may be thought somuch the richer. For perhaps they have heardsome talk, “such an one is a great rich man,”and another except to it, “Yea, but he hath agreat charge of children,” as if it were an abate­ment to his riches. but the most ordinary causeof a single life is liberty, especially in certainself­pleasing and humorous minds, which areso sensible of every restraint, as they will gonear to think their girdles and garters to bebonds and shackles.